Know Your District – Hamirpur

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We’ve started a new series called “Know Your District” in which we are giving all the related information one should know either to enhance their knowledge of Himachal Pradesh or preparing for any Competitive Exams.

We are deploying the details that are already on the internet, So you don’t need to dig out the whole internet. We have stuffed all this information on one page. 

h a m i r p u r

• The district of Hamirpur covers an area of 4,121.9 sq. km.
• The total population of Hamirpur is 1,042,374  according to the census of 2001.
• The economy of Hamirpur depends mainly on agriculture. The main crops are wheat, rice, barley etc. Horticulture is also practiced in this district.
• Tehsils : Barsar, Bhoranj, Dhatwal, Galore, Hamirpur, Nadaun, Tira Sujanpur.
• Sub Tehsil : Kangoo and Bhota
• Gram Panchayat : 229
• Loksabha Constituency : Hamirpur
• Assembly Constituency : Bhoranj (SC), Sujanpur, Hamirpur, Barsar, Nadaun.
• Language : Hindi, Punjabi and Pahari.
• Main River : Beas

HISTORY

The history of Hamirpur is closely associated with the Katoch dynasty which ruled the area between the Ravi and Satluj rivers in the olden days. It is evident from the “Puranas” and Panini’s “Ashtadhyai” that during the Mahabharta period, Hamirpur was a part of the old Jallandhar-Trigarta empire.

• Panini referred to the people of this kingdom as great warriors and fighters.
• It is believed that in the ancient period, the rulers of Gupta dynasty had set up their sovereignty over this part of the land.
• During the middle ages, presumably, the area fell under the control of Mohammed Gazani, Timurlang, and later Sultans.

Some of the prominent Ranas were, Ranas of Mewa, Ranas of Mehalta and Dhatwal. There was no time when these feudal chiefs were not in a quarrel against each other. It was only the Katoch dynasty which put these Ranas under its control, to ensure an orderly society.

• The Katoch dynasty became predominant during the period of Hamir Chand who ruled from 1700 A.D. to 1740 A.D. It was this ruler who built the fort at Hamirpur and the present town of Hamirpur derives its name from this ruler.
• Hamirpur came to much limelight only during the period of Raja Sansar Chand-II. He made ‘Sujanpur Tira’ his capital and erected palaces and temples at this place.
• Raja Sansar Chand ruled from 1775 A.D. to 1823 A.D. The rise of Raja Ranjit Singh proved a great hurdle for his ambitions. Therefore, he diverted his attention towards the local Hill Chiefs. He attached Mandi state and made Raja Ishwari Sen a prisoner for 12 years at Nadaun.
• Becoming alarmed by the advancement of Sansar Chand, all the Hills Chiefs joined hands and invited the Gurkhas to stop the uncontrolled might of Katoch ruler.
• The combined armies fought against Sansar Chand’s army at Mahal Morian in Hamirpur. Raja Sansar Chand’s army gave a crushing defeat to the combined forces and compelled them to retreat on the left banks of the river Satluj. By that time, Raja Sansar Chand, on the advice of his General Ghulam Mohammed tried to effect the economy in the army by replacing the existing ones with Rohillas. This proved a self-defeating folly on his part. On hearing about the weakness of Katoch’s army, the combined forces again attacked the forces of Kangra at Mahal Morian in the second battle and forced a crushing defeat in 1806 A.D.
• Raja Sansar Chand along with family took shelter in the Kangra fort.
• The Gurkhas sieged the Kangra fort and ruthlessly looted the area between the fort of Kangra and Mahal Morian and virtually destroyed the villages.
• Ishwari Sen was liberated by the Gurkhas from Nadaun jail. The siege of the fort continued for three years.
• Raja Ranjit Singh on the request of Sansar Chand waged war against the Gurkhas and defeated them in 1809 A.D. But Sansar Chand had to pay a heavy price whereby he had to lose Kangra fort and 66 villages to the Sikhs.
• The Sikhs maintained their sovereignty over Kangra and Hamirpur till 1846 when they were defeated by the British Army in the First Anglo-Sikh War. Ever since the supremacy of the British continued in the area which became a part of the British Empire.
• In 1846, after the annexation of Kangra, Nadaun was made the tehsil headquarters. This settlement was revised in 1868, and as a result, the tehsil headquarters was changed from Nadaun to Hamirpur.
• In 1888, Palampur tehsil was created, merging part of the areas of Hamirpur and Kangra tehsils.
• Hamirpur remained a part of the Punjab province until 1st November 1966.
• On 1st September 1972, Hamirpur was created as a separate district with two tehsils of Hamirpur and Barsar.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Sujanpur Tihra

• It was founded by Raja Abhay Chand, the king of ruling Katoch dynasty of Kangra in 1748 A.D.
• There is a tomb of Nawab Gulam Mohammed of Rampur.
• There are five old temples at Tira and Sujanpur and Bara-Dari (Court Room) of Raja Sansar Chand at Sujanpur.
• This territory was first visited by a German, named ‘Traveck’ and then by a British traveller named ‘Moorcraft’.
• Sujanpur place is suitable for adventure sports like Paragliding, Angling, Rafting and trekking in and around this area.
• In addition to these, the place is also famous for the Chaugan (ground) which is the biggest one in the state. A famous 4 days State Level Holi Fair is organised in this ground during Holi festival.
• The prestigious Sainik School Sujanpur Tira is also situated at this place.

Deotsidh

• Sidh Baba Balak Nath Temple Deothsidh is situated on the border of Bilaspur(70 Kms) and Hamirpur (45 Kms) district and is well connected by roads from all sides.
• The festival of Chaitra Mela Shri Sidh Baba Balak Nath Ji is celebrated every year from 14 March to 13 April.

Markanda

• It is located in district Hamirpur, 6 KM away from Dera parol on the bank of Kunah Khad is the place of Markandya Rishi.
• According to Puranas, it is there that the idol of Rishi Markandya was installed. A Natural water spring is also located there. The fair of markanda is also famous.

Bhota

• It is located on Dharamshala-Shimla road at a distance of 15 KMs. from Hamirpur towards Bilaspur.
• The place is famous for Radha Swami Satsang and one of the largest charitable hospitals of the state have been constructed by the same religious trust.

Gasota

• It is situated on Hamirpur- Jahu road at a distance of 9 Kilometers from Hamirpur.
• Here 400 years old Lord Shiva temple is situated. People from different places visit this holy place to seek the blessing of the Lord Shiva.
• A famous Cattle Fair is organized at Gasota every year on first Monday of the Jayshtha Month (usually in mid May) every year and people from nearby areas and neighboring states visit this place to have glimpse of Shivlinga and for cattle trading.

Lambloo

• A very famous Shani Dev Temple is situated at Village Sarlin (Lambloo) at a distance of 10 Kilometers from Hamirpur.
• People from different places come to visit the Shani temple and for Tula Daan. Huge rush flows to this place on the weekends and particularly on the Jayshtha Shanivaar.
• The temple is managed by the Temple Trust established under HP Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Act.

Nadaun

• In Princely days, it is used to be the headquarters of the Nadaun Jagir, Maharaja Sansar Chand of Kangra used to hold his court during summer for a number of years during his reign.
• Nadaun is also Known for Bilkleshwar Mahadev temple which is said to be have been founded by the Pandavs.
• Nadaun is famous for its Gurudwara founded in A.D. 1929.
• There was a saying current in Kangra hill “Who that comes to Nadaun will not go away” – or -“आये नादौन जाये कौन “. This is explained by the fact that there were two hundred singing and dancing girls at Nadaun and whoever comes under the spell of these enchantresses never thought of leaving. Thus writes Ghulam Mohiuddin in Tarikh-i Punjab.
• The Amtar Cricket Stadium (established by Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association) is another place worth visit. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium established by the HPCA (Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association) situated on the bank of the Beas River is also a beautiful place to visit.

TRIVIA and FACTS

• Hamirpur is a rapidly developing City in Himachal Pradesh with New Entrepreneurship and Modern Construction.
• The nearest Airport is Kangra Airport and Mohali International Airport While the nearest Railway is in Una at 79 km.
• Hamirpur City is surrounded by Pine tree forests.
• BJP had a greater influence on this particular region. In 1967, Kanshiram Thakur elected as first non congress MLA from this segment, Ramesh Verma of congress remain MLA from 1972 to 1977. Later in 1977, an advocate by profession ‘Thakur Jagdev Chand (Nephew of Kanshiram Thakur) became the MLA of Hamirpur Vidhan Sabha seat by defeating Ramesh Verma.
• Hamirpur district has the highest density of roads in Northern India.
• Hamirpur (406/sq km) has the highest population density while Lahaul & Spiti (2/sq km) has the least.
• Hamirpur (1096) leads in sex ratio. Two more districts Kangra(1,013) and Mandi (1,012) has more females than males. Kinnaur (818) has the lowest sex ratio.
• Hamirpur district (89.01%) has the highest literacy rate while Chamba (73.19) has the lowest.

FAMOUS PERSONALITIES FROM HAMIRPUR

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal

• Prof. Prem Kumar the honorable Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh hails from district Hamirpur. Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal belongs to Bhartiya Janta Party.
• Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal belongs to Samirpur village of Hamirpur district. Prem Kumar Dhumal is the son of Smt. Phulumu Devi and Capt Mahant Ram born on 10th of April in the year 1944.

Anurag Thakur

• Anurag Singh Thakur (born 24 October 1974) is a member of the Lower House of Parliament in India (Lok Sabha) from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, and also serves as a Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs.
• He is the son of Prem Kumar Dhumal, the former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
• He was the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from May 2015 to February 2017.
• He was awarded the Sansad Ratna Award in 2019, an award established in 2010 by private organisations for recognizing contributions by parliamentarians.

Vijay Kumar Sharma

• Vijay Kumar Sharma Padma Shri, AVSM, SM (born 19 August 1985) is a sport shooter from India. He won the silver medal in the individual 25 metre rapid fire pistol event at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
• Kumar hails from Barsar village of Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh and is a retired Subedar Major (Warrant Officer Class I) and Honorary Captain in the Dogra Regiment (16th Battalion) Indian Army.
• Vijay Kumar is supported by the Olympic Gold Quest initiative. He has been posted at Indian Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) Mhow since 2003 where he is being coached by the Russian Pavel Smirnov.

Madan Lal

• Madan Lal the famous Indian Cricketer also hails from Hamirpur district.
• Madan Lal was born in Amritsar but his ancestor belongs to Hamirpur district. Madan Lal was born on March 20th 1951.
• Madan Lal was also in the squad of 1983 Cricket World Cup winning team which was held in Lords(England).
• Madan Lal has played 39 tests and 69 ODIs matches in his career.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

The people of Hamirpur district celebrate a good number of fairs and  festivals round the year which have, by and large, religious sanctity. Some of the important fairs and festivals held in the district are as under:

• Gasota Mahadev Fair: A fair is held here every year for eight days beginning from first Monday of Jaistha. With the passage of time, this religious festival has assumed the commercial undertones where a big cattle show is held every year and people as far as from Punjab and Haryana come to participate in the cattle transaction which runs in lacs.
• Holi Fair: Holi fair of Tira Sujanpur has a historical background of its own. It is said that during the princely days, Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra used to participate in the Holi festival here which used to be held every year in the month of Phalguna. The significance of the festival during those days is evident enough from the wall paintings of the fort which depicts the celebration of Holi of Tira Sujanpur in the princely days in the walls of the fort.
• Baba Deothsidh Fair: A religious fair is held on every Sunday of Jaistha. Thousands of people from far and wide come to join the celebration. In order to propitiate Baba Balak Nath, people offer goats to the Baba Balak Nath which are sacrificed in his honour.
  Gashian Fair: This fair is held on first Tuesday of Ashar month. The fair is dedicated to Goddess Gashian. Since the time immemorial people believe that on this day fairies come to take bath in the water.
• Awah Devi Fair: A temple of Goddess Awah Devi is situated there, where a festival is held in her honour. People as far as from Mandi, Bilaspur and Punjab come to participate in this festival to propitiate the presence of the Goddess Awah Devi.
• Chaniari Devi Fair: This temple is situated 7 kms. from Hamirpur on Hamirpur – Nadaun Road. A fair is held here in the month of Jaistha of every year in honour of Goddess Chaniari Devi.
• Cattle fairs are held at Chakmoh, Jahu and Dhirar every year which have only commercial significance.
• Piplu fair known as Piplu-ka-Mela which is held in honour of Lord Shiva.
• Mela Baggi is a fair which is held in honour of Pir.
• Other Fairs: Tauni Devi Fair, Markanda Fair, Dei-ka-Naon Fairs.

Crafts of Himachal Pradesh

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